Removable mouthpiece type bit



Feb. 21, 1967 c. A. LOVELL, JR 3,304,692

REMOVABLE MOUTHPIECE TYPE BIT Filed March 23, 1965 \NVENTOR 45/4 4. Lot/EAL J16.

BY m, 7 M

ATTORNEYS United States Patent M 3,304,692 REMOVABLE MOUTHPIECE TYPE BIT (lash A. Lovell, J13, Rte. 4, Fraternity Church Road, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27107 Filed Mar. 23, 1965, Ser. No. 441,971 1 Claim. (Cl. 54-7) This invention relates to an improved bit assembly for detachable connection with a horse bridle and reins and more particularly, to a bit assembly having an interchangeable mouthpiece whereby various configurations and sizes of mouthpieces may be substituted therefor.

Horse bits generally in use are made of left and right shank or cheek members with a mouthpiece or port rigidly mounted therebetween to form a single unit. Due to the different types and sizes of horses, and the diiferent temperament of each horse, it is necessary to provide a bit assembly for each particular horse. Thus a stable generally maintains a supply of bits in which the mouthpiece is of varied configuration such at flat, straight, curved, U-shaped and other forms. The material used for making bits must be non-corrosive such as chromeplated steel, stainless steel, silver and other relatively expensive metals. Therefore, the inventory of bits becomes expensive due to the many types of bits that must be stocked. It is also necessary to disassemble the bridle and reins in order to change one bit for another which is burdensome and time-consuming.

It is an object of my invention to provide an improved bit assembly with an interchangeable port or mouthpiece and which does not have to be removed from the bridle and reins to change the mouthpiece and in which various configurations of mouthpieces may be interchanged when necessary.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved bit assembly which reduces the inventory of horse bits necessary to maintain a stable and which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and is easily assembled and disassembled.

My invention contemplates an improved bit assembly for detachable connection with a horse bridle and reins. The bit comprises a pair of shank members for supporting an interchangeable mouthpiece or port. Each shank member comprises an upper shank or cheek portion and a lower shank or leg portion and connecting means for detachably connecting the portions together in coaxial relationship. The mouthpiece is of a size and shape so as to fit across the mouth of a horse and projects around the sides thereof. The port is provided with attaching fittings at its opposite ends and is formed with openings extending therethrough for assembly around the connecting portions of the shank members. The shank members are formed with means at their upper and lower ends respectively for detachably attaching the assembly to the bridle and reins.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will become more apparent from the drawings illustrating a preferred form of my invention and from the description thereof in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a partially disassembled horse bit embodying my invention illustrating the assembly and disassembly thereof; and

FIG. 2 is a detailed sectional view taken on the lines 2-2 of FIG. 1.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral generally denotes my bit assembly which comprises a mouthpiece or port 20 replaceably mounted between two pairs of upper and lower shank members 12 and 14. The two pairs of upper and lower shank members 12 and 14 are identical and therefore when describing one upper and lower shank member, it will also apply to the other.

Lower shank or leg portion 12 is an elongated rod 3,304,692 Patented Feb. 21, 1967 provided with a laterally projecting ring holder 24 for mounting ring member 25 at one end and a threaded stud portion 16 at the other end. Flanged member 17 is formed integrally with lower shank or leg portion 12 at the lower end of stud portion 16 so as to form a stop or seat for port or mouthpiece 20, when mounted on shank portion 12. Mouthpiece 20 is of a size and shape so as to fit across the mouth of a horse and project around the sides thereof. Attaching fitting 22 is disposed at the ends of mouthpiece 2t) and is formed with a tubular opening extending therethrough having an internal diameter slightly in excess of the diameter of the stud portion so as to be slidably mounted on stud portion 16 of lower shank member 12. Upper shank or check portion 14 is provided with a threaded socket 118 at one end and is threadedly received by the complementary threads of stud portion 16 so as to hold the detachable mouthpiece 20 when mounted on stud portion 16 in fixed position. Ring 2-6 integrally formed with upper shank portion 14 at the other end thereof is provided for attaching the bridle harness to the bit assembly.

Interposed between stud portion 16 and lateral ring opening 24 of lower shank portion 12, and integrally formed therewith, is a laterally extending ring opening 28 for attaching a chin strap from the bridle harness to the bit assembly 10.

When employing my improved bit assembly 10 for detachable connection with a horse bridle and reins, the bridle is attached to rings 26 of upper shank portions 14 and the reins are attached to rings 25 in the conventional manner. However, when it is desired to change mouthpiece or port 20, for a desired shape and size, the bit assembly need not be detached from the bridle and reins. All that need be done is to unscrew the lower shank portions from the upper shank portions and remove the mouthpiece or port and replace the mouthpiece with the desired type. Thus, my improved bit assembly may be easily assembled and disassembled while remaining mounted or attached to the bridle and reins. Further, any desired configuration and size of port may be interchanged with the port in an assembled bit so that the bit need not be removed from the bridle and reins.

The materials use-d for a bit assembly of the type described are many and preferably non-corrosive metals should be used such as stainless steel, chrome-plated steel, silver or the like. Obviously, many changes may be made in design, sizes and shapes of the mouthpiece and lower and upper shank portions of my bit assembly and means for assembling the portions together without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claim.

I claim:

An improved bit assembly for detachable connection with a horse bridle and reins comprising: a pair of shank members for supporting the hereinafter mentioned mouthpiece and for connecting the assembly to the bridle end reins, each of said shank members comprising a lower shank member having a laterally extending ring formed integrally between the ends thereof for attaching a chin strap from the bridle harness to said lower shank members; said lower shank members having a threaded end portion and upper shank members having complementary threaded socket portions for detachably connecting said portions together in coaxial relationship and a mouthpiece of a size and shape formed to extend across the mouth of a horse and project beyond the sides thereof; said mouthpiece having tubular attaching fittings integral- 1y formed therewith at its opposite ends; said attaching fittings formed with openings extending therethrough and said attaching fittings being assembled around the threaded stud portions of said lower shank members with the upper shank members being disposed above said fittings; a laterally extending flange formed integrally with said lower shank members and disposed adjacent said threaded portion thereon so as to form a stop when said tubular attaching fittings formed at each end of the mouthpiece are mounted in fixed position around said threaded stud portion of the lower shank members; said upper shank members having a ring formed at the upper ends thereof and said lower shank members having a ring holder formed at the lower ends thereof for mounting a slidable ring therein so that said bridle end reins are adapted to be detach-ably attached to 10 the rings at each end of the bit assembly.

References Cited by the Examiner FOREIGN PATENTS 607 3/1862 Great Britain. 19,598 11/1904 Great Britain. 28,158 9/1907 Great Britain.

SAMUEL KOREN, Primary Examiner.

ALDRICH F. MEDBERY, Examiner. 

